Great visit. Whirlwind. I can not fathom how Eric got the housework all done with two little kids underfoot. House looks way better than usual. Lili and Eric picked them up. We had dinner and visited until bed. This morning after breakfast the girls showed them around their school. They are shocked at how big our house is and even more shocked at how small their school is. They said that the number of kids would be just one grade in a Chinese school. Jia went to school. Luk and I picked up groceries for lunch, picked up Jia and came home to cook while Eric, big girls and guests went to look at first nations places and totem poles. They brought a picture of a totem pole to show us what they wanted to see. ;) We smiled and said no problem...we have lots here. We all had lunch and then they were off. Eric and the big girls are taking them to see Chinatown, the Empress, bus station, Parliament, James Bay and mile zero before leaving them at their hotel. James starts school on Friday and his Dad goes back to China on Sunday.
What an amazing connection. Major experience for all of us. So many different views. Cultures soooo different.
They report that Luk speaks lots of Mandarin. Two and three word sentences. He speaks considerably more English already. Luk was wanting to cuddle with James Dad.
I had thought that perhaps the student exchange was something that happened at the International School but James said no that 2012 was the only year and we were his only exchange opportunity. He has a friend from his school in Victoria (visiting him tonight) and another friend in Toronto. His home stay is with a single lady. He reports the house is nice enough but very small.
His dad manages a four star hotel in Beijing. He's offered a reduced rate for us. I think Fei and I will take him up on that for a couple nights before our camp. Also occurred to me that I have Mr. Yangs cell number. We will be able to arrange a day trip with him. He's worked with us on the last three adoptions. The plan is falling together easily.
